On the Egyptian diplomatic ties with the aegean during the reign of Necho II (610-595 BC)

Pereira, Ronaldo Guilherme Gurgel

http://hdl.handle.net/10362/156758

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Pereira, Ronaldo Guilherme Gurgel

Resumo(s)

This paper approaches the cross-cultural contacts between Egypt and the Greek world during the 26th dynasty Egyptian “Saite” ruler Necho II (610– 595 BC). Saite rulers relied on foreign mercenaries as the backbone of their military campaigns. As their imperial agenda grew, their military duties increased, turning the Greek navy and heavy infantry into a strategic pharaonic matter. Therefore, it was mandatory to develop a good diplomatic relationship with the gateway for Greek mercenary manpower: the Aegean and Ionian cities. The nature of such diplomatic ties was mostly based on religious connections, and celebrated via Egyptian offerings in Greek temples. Polytheistic societies are familiar with the phenomenon of “translating” foreign gods and pantheons. This translation of Greek gods into Egyptian equivalents and vice-versa depends on a previous awareness of the other’s culture. The acceptance that a given god is the representative of a universal force, rather than a mere cultural element, promotes mutual tolerance and respect. Plus, it enables the temple to become a place to stage foreign policies as offerings of a victorious king in order to act as a recruitment tool. What we may call “interpretatio graeca” or “interpretatio aegyptica” is the product of intercultural relations that can be analysed under an anthropological perspective for its iconographic and linguistic elements. Archaeological and literary sources allow us to debate the dynamics of the Greek-Egyptian intercultural relations from a religious standpoint. The significant role played by Rhodes in the Greek-Egyptian contacts of state character may be reflected in the discovery of a series of faience inlays with the titulary of Pharaoh Necho II from the Sanctuary of Athena at Ialysos. These may have decorated a small shrine, as either a royal gift made for Necho II or items commissioned by him.